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2mo ago

Putin's Gift of Trump Portrait Raises Questions During Ceasefire Talks

The Kremlin confirms the delivery of a commissioned Trump portrait to the U.S. president, with no White House comment on its security examination.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also prayed for 'friend' and US counterpart Donald Trump when he was shot during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Steve Witkoff, White House special envoy, speaks during a television interview outside the White House, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
FILE - President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
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Overview

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin gifted a portrait of Donald Trump to Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, earlier this month in Moscow.
  • The Kremlin confirmed the gift, which was commissioned by Putin and created by a leading Russian artist, describing it as a personal gesture during ongoing Ukraine ceasefire negotiations.
  • Steve Witkoff, who delivered the portrait to Trump, stated that the U.S. president was 'clearly touched' by the 'beautiful' painting and called Putin's gesture 'gracious.'
  • The White House has not commented on the portrait or whether it has undergone a security examination, raising concerns given historical instances of bugged gifts from Russia.
  • Ceasefire talks between U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian officials continue in Saudi Arabia, with no significant breakthroughs reported as of this week.